This shoot is what happens when makeup artistry goes beyond beauty. That’s not to say it’s not beautiful, it is; but it’s not beauty as you’d expect from a fashion shoot. Stunningly photographed and directed by Niklas Hoejlund, emotively acted out by model Trine Hyldtoft, brilliantly represented by makeup artist May Næs, every team member pulls equal weight in the successful attempt to etch feelings onto the skin in splatters of ink.

Click the thumbnails for full pictures:

In one particular frame, Hyldtoft’s ink-covered hand with deliberately talon-like nails projects pain as a warewolf-like transformation from human into beast.

Beautiful work as always from Niklas and collaborators. View the full shoot at the gallery above.